[Woodcarver] Report: Camp Pendleton Wounded Warrior carving class.

[Donna Menke]

Joe-
Thank you for doing this project. Your actions are a wonderful reflection on all carvers everywhere. Sharon and you are a great couple who deserve our appreciation.
Donna Menke
http://www.woodworks-by-donna.com 
Author: The Ultimate Band Saw Box Book



----- Original Message ----

> From: Joe Dillett <jdillett at thecarvingshop.net>

> To: [Woodcarver] <woodcarver at six.pairlist.net>

> Sent: Friday, August 8, 2008 5:20:38 PM

> Subject: [Woodcarver] Report: Camp Pendleton Wounded Warrior carving class.

> 

> Gentle Subscribers :-) Please support our List with a donation: 

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> 

> 

> Fellow Carvers,

>  

> Sharon and I are back from teaching the woodcarving class 

> to the disabled veterans at Camp Pendleton . We are physically and 

> emotionally exhausted. 

>  

> As 

> you know the first class, scheduled for the first week of April, was canceled 

> due to a suicide. This last class was not canceled. Since the first class 

> was canceled they continue to have more suicides and attempts including one of 

> each while we were there. We ended up with 3 disables veterans in the class and 

> 4 support staff. However the lack of numbers was not a problem. These Marines 

> were top quality in every way. They are very talented as well as hard working. I 

> 

> think we have some new carvers in our carving community. The class was a great 

> success for the students as well as the staff. Sharon and I got much more out of 

> 

> the class and a little better understanding of our heroes.

>  

> This 

> was a life-changing experience for both Sharon and I. They opened their heart 

> and let us into their lives. A lot of sharing happened over these 3 days.  Some 

> had a need to share their combat 

> photos and videos. Others were not ready to do that. Sharon and I got into a 

> part of the military they said no one from the outside has ever been. Sharon won 

> their hearts 

> over. They said that they never, never give Wounded Warrior items to outsiders. 

> They made an exception giving Sharon and I a large engraved Wounded Warrior 

> plaque with our names engraved. We also got 2 Wounded Warrior coffee mugs. They 

> said that we are now part of their family. 

>  

> Your 

> generous donations made it possible. I told them about all of your donations. 

> Each of them has a great set of tools, several knives, books, videos and lots of 

> 

> wood. They will continue to carve, I’m sure. Sharon and I are planning on going 

> back. Now that the staff knows us better they made us promise that we’ll spend 

> more time on our next visit.

>  

> Thank you all for making this possible.

> 

> Joe Dillett

> The Carving 

> Shop

> 645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3

> Somonauk, IL. 60552

> (815) 498-9290 phone

> (815) 

> 498-9249 fax

> http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]

> http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask 

> Joe' column]

> http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett